Anne of Greenville (2022) by Mariko Tamaki is an adaptation of
L.M. Montgomery's novel
Anne of Green Gables. The story is 304 pages in length, and it is a modern re-imagining of the classic story.
In an essay at the
New York Times, Catherine Hong reviewed several modern adaptations of
Anne of Green Gables. She describes Tamaki's retelling as "more a playful riff than a retelling — in which Anne is the half-Japanese, disco-loving, 'deliriously queer' adopted daughter of two moms. After the family moves to the conservative small town of Greenville, Anne encounters a scary nativist clique and a thorny love triangle involving two girls, Berry (as in Diana Barry) and Gilly. Tamaki’s nods to the original have a postmodern flair. When Gilly calls Anne 'Carrots' (an unforgivable insult in Montgomery’s version), Anne responds: 'Carrots?...That’s what you got?'"
In an interview with Emma Kantor for
Publishers Weekly, Mariko Tamaki talks about first discovering Anne Shirley saying, "I don’t actually remember the first time I read
Anne of Green Gables. I am fairly certain my first exposure, like any good Canadian who was a kid in the ’80s, was the CBC series—which I adored. “What, an overly exuberant, slightly awkward, literary kid who likes ice cream? Tell me more!"
Mariko Tamaki explains that author Melissa de la Cruz contacted her about writing a retelling of Anne's story for her new eponymous imprint. Tamaki went on to say, "Then it just seemed like the best Canadian lit assignment ever. I wanted to lean mostly into the character of Anne, this kid who has such a clear vision of the value of their own whimsy."
In discussing the longevity and endurance of Anne Shirley, Mariko Tamaki reflected that, "I think there is something really compelling about kids who are intensely and fiercely themselves. A book like
Harriet the Spy has a similar power for that reason. There’s something courageous about being yourself against all odds—it’s a valuable and necessary thing."
Here is the description of the book from
Melissa de la Cruz Studio:
This is the story of how I became Anne of Greenville. It’s also the story of how I found my true true, and how I needed to maybe come to Greenville, of all places, to make that happen.
In this modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Anne is an ABBA-loving singer/actor/writer of disco-operas, queer, Japanese-American who longs to be understood for her artistic genius. Recently relocated to middle-of-nowhere Greenville and starting at a new school, Anne has a tendency to A) fall in love quickly, deeply, and effervescently and B) fly off the handle in the face of jerks. Both personality quirks quickly come into play when the soccer team boos the premiere of her disco performance, which—in a roundabout way—introduces her to her new BFF, Berry, and she soon after meets the girl of her dreams, Gilly.
Falling quickly into that age-old trap of ignoring the best friend for the new crush, Anne soon becomes embroiled in a series of dramatic and unfortunate events, and quickly finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle she never expected. Is she MTB with Gilly? Or is Berry her true soul mate? Only time (or 304 pages) will tell.
In this coming-of-age novel by fan-favorite author Mariko Tamaki, see the classic tale in a whole new light. Refreshingly bold and unapologetically unique, Anne of Greenville will make you want to stand up and sing!
Reviews
"A glitter-fueled disco daydream! Mariko Tamaki captures the irrepressible, unapologetic enthusiasm of Anne Shirley and delivers her with sequins and rollerskates to a brand new audience. Anne of Greenville bubbles over with a defiantly joyful energy!"
―Britta Lundin, author of Ship It and Like Other Girls
"Every page of this glittery disco ball of a book explodes with imagination, effervescence, and joy ― prepare to find a kindred spirit in this thoroughly modern Anne Shirley."
―Sarah Kuhn, author of From Little Tokyo, with Love
"I adored Mariko Tamaki's Anne of Greenville, which doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of being both queer and weird in a small town, but also embraces so much love and beauty. Joy as an act of resistance overflows from Anne and her new world. Tamaki infuses her work with so much humor, nuance, and incredible generosity for every character, and I will read every single thing she writes."
―Amy Spalding, best-selling author of We Used to Be Friends
“Delightfully queer, deliciously disco-filled, and decidedly heartfelt, Anne of Greenville is the coming-of-age novel we need! My heart’s been soaring like it’s wearing roller skates ever since I finished it!”
―Jason June, author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue
ISBN-13: 9781368078405
Image credit:
Book cover of
Anne of Greenville.
References:
Hong, Catherine. (November 4, 2022). Anne of Everywhere: Suddenly, remakes and adaptations of L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” series are proliferating.
The New York Times. Retrieved from:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/04/books/review/anne-of-green-gables-reboots.html.
Kantor, Emma. (September 1, 2022). Kindred Spirits: Children's Authors Reimagine 'Anne of Green Gables.'
Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/90208-kindred-spirits-children-s-authors-reimagine-anne-of-green-gables.html.
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Created October 4, 2022. Last
updated September 16, 2025.
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